Rene Ortiz and Laura Sawicki to Open New Restaurants

The Austin food community was a bit confused when Ortiz and Sawicki suddenly left La Condesa and Sway this summer. But today the two have announced that they’re working with Fresa’s Chicken al Carbon owners Margaret Vera and Tracy Overath (formerly part of the McGuire-Moorman Hospitality Group) on a few new projects, including the expansion of Fresa’s to other locations within Austin. For now, the menu will stay the same but Vera said she's excited to "take the reins" from chefs and previous owners Larry McGuire and Tommy Moorman.

As part of the newly formed restaurant group, Ortiz and Sawicki also plan to open Launderette, a neighborhood cafe and companion grocery, featuring “real food with the notion that the offerings will not be defined by exotic pairings and gastronomical acrobatics.” A second onsite concept called Angry Bear will offer Chinese takeout. They are currently looking for a location for the new restaurants.